As we close in on the end of 2025, we can reflect on the growing and new preferences guests have in the full-service hospitality industry. Many travelers are already planning their 2026 vacations, so hotels should be ready to cater to the current trends. What are they looking for in their next vacation? What do they expect from their experience? What activities and amenities are they investing in? Here are five trends we anticipate for the next year:

Authenticity

Travelers are seeking genuine, authentic experiences. This can look like staying in local homes to taking part in community events. To make guests truly feel like they’re connecting to the place they are traveling to, hotels are stepping up their game by bringing local cuisine to their guests, offering the secret hot spots to visit, and providing a rich history and heritage about the location. 

Technology

Technology continues to play an important role in the guest experience. Hospitality tech is enabling staff to connect with guests like never before, giving them the opportunity to bring elevated and personalized service. Luxury and full-service hotels are integrating service with tech solutions like hotel texting, automated check-in, and room service via smart devices. Hotels that lean into technology are finding that not only do guests feel more connected, but their ability to understand what’s happening in their hotel at any time is increased, thanks to the data found in these powerful tools.

Wellness

Wellness tourism is booming. Luxury and full-service hotels are leaning into this by expanding wellness beyond the spa retreats. They are looking at mental wellness and personalized-fitness plans. Some amenities resorts are offering include healthy, wholesome dining options, yoga and meditation spaces, tailored spa services, and sleep optimization programs. Even full-service hotels without a special spa space are uncovering ways to provide wellness options to guests, like grab-and-go salads, fresh fruit in the lobby, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

Personalization

There is an increasing demand for personalized and exclusive experiences to the point of hyper-personalization. Especially in luxury travel, guests are willing to spend a pretty penny to have exclusivity. From boutique hotels that are a hidden treasure, to once-in-a lifetime experiences, they want to feel catered to, and are willing to pay the price for it. Full-service hotels can leverage personalization at scale, like mid-stay status checks, loyalty recognition, or helping guests celebrate during their stay.

Immersiveness

High-end travelers crave more than just beautiful accommodations - they want to have immersive, cultural, experiences. Hotels are leaning into this by collaborating with local communities to offer unique activities. Going beyond accommodation, they are also offering on-site cultural workshops and exclusive excursions.

For full-service and luxury hotels, keeping up with these trends is essential to staying ahead and delivering top-tier experiences to their guests. By adopting new trends, you're offering your guests a meaningful experience in the ever-evolving market.

Are you ready to evolve your tech and elevate the guest experience? Take a look at Kipsu’s guest messaging solutions or schedule a conversation with us today!